Collection Summary
Samuel Holten Papers
1630-1843
(bulk 1744-1843)
1630-1843
(bulk 1744-1843)
MSS26419
Holten, Samuel,
1738-1816
2,000
items
4 containers
1.6 linear feet
4 microfilm reels
English
Collection material in
English
Manuscript Division, Library of
Congress
Washington, D.C.
Delegate to the United
States Continental Congress from and United States representative of
Massachusetts, jurist, and physician. Correspondence, account books, and bills
and receipts relating primarily to Holten's public service career in
Massachusetts, the federal government, and his medical practice.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803--Correspondence.
Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790--Correspondence.
Cushing, William, 1732-1810--Correspondence.
Dane, Nathan, 1752-1835--Correspondence.
Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814--Correspondence.
Gordon, William, 1728-1807--Correspondence.
Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796--Correspondence.
Hancock, John, 1737-1793--Correspondence.
Holten, Samuel, 1738-1816.
Hutchinson, Israel, 1727 or 1728-1811--Correspondence.
Lowell, John, 1743-1802--Correspondence.
Partridge, George, 1740-1828--Correspondence.
Sullivan, James, 1744-1808--Correspondence.
Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826--Correspondence.
Wallcut, Thomas, 1758-1840--Correspondence.
Organizations
Massachusetts. Council.
Massachusetts. Provincial Congress.
United States. Congress. House.
United States. Continental Congress.
Subjects
Medicine--Practice--Massachusetts.
Places
Danvers (Mass.)--Social life and customs.
Massachusetts--Politics and government--1775-1865.
United States--Politics and government--1775-1783.
United States--Politics and government--1783-1809.
Occupations
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress--Massachusetts.
Judges.
Physicians.
Representatives, U.S. Congress--Massachusetts.
Provenance
The papers of Samuel Holten, delegate to the United States Continental
Congress from and United States representative of Massachusetts, jurist, and
physician, were purchased by the Library of Congress between the years 1908 and
1994.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Samuel Holten
is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The papers of Samuel Holten are open to research. Researchers are
advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many
collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these
items for research use.
Microfilm
A microfilm edition of part of these papers is available on four
reels. Consult a reference librarian in the Manuscript Division concerning
availability for purchase or interlibrary loan.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the
following information: Container or reel number, Samuel Holten Papers,
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1738, June 9
Born, Salem Village, later Danvers, Mass.
circa 1756
Practiced medicine, Gloucester, Mass.
1758
Married Mary Warner
Returned to medical practice, Danvers, Mass.
1768
1776
Member, Massachusetts General Court
1774
Represented Danvers in Essex County, Mass., convention
1775
Represented Essex County, Mass., in Provincial Congress;
appointed to Committee of Safety
1778
1780
Massachusetts delegate, Continental Congress
1781
Signer, Articles of Confederation
Incorporator, Massachusetts Medical Society
1782
1787
Massachusetts delegate, Continental Congress
1785
Joined with Elbridge Gerry and Rufus King in refusing to
present to Congress the Massachusetts Resolves requesting revision of the
Articles of Confederation
1788
Anti-federalist delegate to Massachusetts convention on the
Constitution
1793
1795
Member, United States House of Representatives
1796
1815
Judge of probate, Essex County, Mass.
1812
1813
One of early founders of temperance movement in
Massachusetts
1816, Jan. 2
Died, Danvers, Mass.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Samuel Holten (1738-1816) span the years 1630-1843, with
the bulk of the items concentrated in the period 1744-1843. The collection
consists of correspondence, account books, and bills and receipts. The
correspondence relates chiefly to Holten's service in the Massachusetts
Provincial General Court, Massachusetts Governor's Council, Continental
Congress, and United States House of Representatives. Other papers relate to
his medical practice and to his life and work in Danvers, Massachusetts.
Correspondents include Samuel Adams, James Bowdoin, William Cushing, Nathan
Dane, Elbridge Gerry, William Gordon, Nathaniel Gorham, John Hancock, Israel
Hutchinson, John Lowell, George Partridge, James Sullivan, and Thomas
Wallcut.
The addition to the papers of Samuel Holten spans the years 1783-1785
and consists of draft copies of Holten's correspondence, including letters to
William Cushing, Elbridge Gerry, and Benjamin Wadsworth, and a letter from
Thomas Wallcut to Holten.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is arranged by type of material.
Catalog Record: [https://lccn.loc.gov/mm74026419]
Container List
Available on microfilm. Shelf no. 16,046
Container
Contents
1
1
Correspondence
1
1
1630-1660, 1744-1749, 1753-1790
1630-1660, 1744-1749, 1753-1790
(15
folders)
2
2
1791-1816, undated
1791-1816, undated
(16
folders)
3
3
Financial papers
3
3
Legal fees,
1796-1811
1796-1811
(4
folders)
3
3
Bills, accounts, and
receipts
3
3
1744-1793
1744-1793
(9
folders)
4
4
1794-1843, undated
1794-1843, undated
(8
folders)
4
Addition
4
Correspondence,
1783-1785
1783-1785